Pile-coupling



(No Model.) R. GRAY.

.PILE COUPLING.

No. 317,764. Patented May 12, 1885.

WITNESSES j c dzwdiw X @QW am Attorney UNrrnn STATES PATENT @FMQE.

RICHARD GRAY, OF BLOOMING'ION, ILLINOIS.

FILE-COUPLING.

SIPECIPIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 317,764, dated Il-iay 12, 1885.

Application filed March 30, 1885.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RICHARD GRAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bloomington, in the county of McLean and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pile-Couplings; and I do de-. clare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to the construction of metallic columns for attachment to piles, and has for its object to provide the same of such peculiarity of construction as to readily adapt them to be secured to the tops of wooden piles of variable forms and sizes, and by which, also, the operation of the attachment thereof may be performed at or below the water-line with little or no inconvenience.

The invention consists, substantially, in the parts as constructed, and in the particular combinations thereof, to be hereinafter distinctly described, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the annexed drawings, Figure 1 represents my invention in vertical elevation as when secured upon the top of a wooden pile, and Fig. 2 represents a detail view of set-screw employed.

Experience has demonstrated the fact that in the use of the ordinary wooden pile that portion thereof which extends upward above the waterline becomes decayed at a comparatively early period of its use, while the submerged portion remains in a durable or preserved condition. The decay of the upper portions frequently results in the destruction of wharves and other superposed structures,

occasioning in many instances great loss of life and property, and it is in consequence of this that I have been led to devise that in which my present invention consists.

Reference being had to the several'parts by the letters marked thereon, A represents an ordinary wooden pile as when in position for use.

B represents as a whole that which constitutes my invention, or, in other words, the combined column and coupling. This struct- (No model.)

ure is constituted of two bands, a a, preferably of circular form or contour, although it is evident that any desired shape could be employed. These bands are united integrally by vertical ribs or rods b b at suitable distances apart within the circumference of the bands, and of any desired number.

Extending upward from the upper band a, and inclining slightly inward, are braces or stays d, which unite with or form an integral part of acentral plate, 0. These braces d are arranged in pairs, as shown, each pair extending from the band at a point above the ribs 1), and are auxiliary to upwardly-extending main braces or webs c, a vertical rod, D, being arranged centrally of the plate 0, and terminating at the top flush with the upper end of the braces or webs c, and being surmounted by a plate or platform, 6.

E represents Wedges that are driven in be tween the pile A and the surrounding bands or rings a of the skeleton frame 13, by which the parts are firmly or securely united and held in position rigidly. Any number may be employed, depending entirely upon the contour of the wooden pile to which the shell B is attached.

F represents set-screws that are inserted through openings in the rings or bands a, and, as shown in Fig. 2, their extremity is formed with a projecting point, f. When the screws are properly inserted, these points will enter the wooden pile, and thus is a perfectly safe unison of the parts effected.

The manner of mounting the device is as follows: The wooden pile is sawed off horizontally at or near thewater-line, and the frame B placed down over the same until the plate Crests upon the top of said wooden pile. Gare shouldbe' had in adjusting the frame, so that the rod D will be central of the pile, whereupon the wedges E are inserted and driven in until the parts are tightened, and then the setscrews are applied to prevent dislodgment of the wedges, and it will be obvious that the structure is thus rendered quite capable of sustaining any superstructure that may be placed thereon.

The column or shell B may be of any suitable height, and is formed to receive and support a superstructure.

My invention is also adapted for use in repairing old structures and rendering permanent and durable that which may have heretofore been regarded as useless.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a pile-coupling, the combination,w'ith the wooden pile, of a metallic column mounted thereon, and wedges and set-screws for securing the same, substantially as described.

2. In a pile-coupling, the combination,with a wooden pile, of a metallic column mounted thereon of skeleton form, and'wedges and setscrews for securing the same, substantially as described.

3. In a pilecoupling, the combination,with a wooden pile, of a metallic frame mounted thereon, having a central upright projection, and main andauxiliary braces extending from said frame and surrounding said upright, and wedges and set-screws, all substantially as and for the purposes described.

4. In a pile-coupling, the combination,with a wooden pile, of a metallic column mounted thereon,constructed of the bands a a, ribs 22 6, main and auxiliary braces c d, the rod D, and platform 6, and wedges and set-screws for securing the same to the pile, all substantially as described.

5. The combination,with the shell or skeleton frameB and the wooden pile, of the wedges E and set-screws securing the frame to the pile, having an extended and sharpened point, substantially as described. I

6. The combination of the bands a a, connected by ribs or arms, the central plate, and vertically-extending rod, the main braces,and the auxiliary braces, all being united integrally, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature-in presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD GRAY.

Witnesses:

D. H. PINGREY, H. R. BENsoN. 

